When people think of Metro Parks, they usually picture wooded trails, bike paths, maybe a suspiciously aggressive goose. Fair.
What they do not picture is standing on a trail in Central Ohio while a massive herd of actual bison grazes in the distance like you accidentally wandered onto a wildlife safari.
And yet… here we are.
Welcome to Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, one of the most unique Metro Parks in the entire country, and easily the wildest flex Ohio doesn’t talk about enough.
Bison? In OHIO!?
Yep. Real ones. Big ones. Shaggy ones.
Before highways, subdivisions, and “luxury apartments coming soon,” bison were native to Ohio and much of the Midwest. In the 19th century, they were hunted nearly to extinction, with only a few hundred left in North America at one point.
Thanks to conservation efforts and protected habitats, bison have made a slow but meaningful comeback. One of those success stories lives right here in Central Ohio.
What Makes Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park So Different
The aptly-named Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park is situated along the Big and Little Darby Creeks out in Galloway, OH, spanning nearly 7,500 acres.
That alone would make it impressive. But then you add the fact that bison roam freely within the park.
Suddenly, this stops feeling like a normal park and starts feeling like something you’d expect in Wyoming… not just a short drive west of Columbus.
It Genuinely Feels Like a Safari (Minus the Jeep)
There are designated overlooks and trails where you can safely view the bison in their pastures. You are not wandering among them (and thank god for that), but you are close enough to feel the scale of these animals.
They’re enormous. Quiet. Weirdly calming.
The Bison Thrive Here, Even in Brutal Winters
Bison are built for weather that makes the rest of us shiver to our bones.
Their massive coats of fur allow them to handle bitter cold, heavy snow, and harsh winters without issue. So when Central Ohio gets hit with those bone-chilling cold snaps and snowstorms, the bison are basically just vibing, completely unbothered.
While we’re layering hoodies under coats under regret, they’re doing exactly what they’ve done for generations.
This Isn’t a Zoo. And That’s the Point.
The bison at Battelle Darby Creek aren’t there for spectacle. They’re part of a long-term conservation effort to restore native species to their historical habitats.
The park provides:
- Protected land
- Natural grazing areas
- Space for the herd to live and grow safely
It’s conservation in action, not behind glass or fences meant for show.
Why This Might Be the Most Underrated Metro Park in the Midwest
Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park checks so many boxes it almost feels unfair:
- Wildlife you don’t expect to see in Ohio
- Miles of trails that feel remote and peaceful
- Wide-open prairie views that don’t feel Midwest at all
- A reminder that this land had a story long before us
Plus, it’s not all too dissimilar to the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park. The entire ecosystem’s success depends on every single species. Take a species away and things can get out of whack QUICKLY.
Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park is educational without being preachy. Beautiful without being overproduced. And quietly one of the coolest outdoor experiences you can have in Central Ohio.
So yeah… next time someone says Ohio is boring, feel free to remind them we casually have buffalo roaming a Metro Park like it’s no big deal.
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